29th April 2019

As we begin our summer term I am delighted to be able to finally tell you that Shacklewell has been graded Outstanding by Ofsted. The full report is available on the schools website and via this link. As you can imagine we are incredibly proud of the recognition and it has given us an enhanced focus to continue to drive for the very best for all our pupils. Thank you all for your kind words and support during the visit, and if you would like to talk about the report in any further detail then please do not hesitate to contact me at school.

During our first week back, we launched 'Our Green Earth' our new sustainability focused topic. We were fortunate enough to have a visit from Hackney North and Stoke Newington MP Diane Abbott who spoke to the children in Year 5 about environmental policy. The children in Year 2 and 3 enjoyed trips to Kew Gardens and the whole school heard from WE.com during assembly about the importance of acting locally to improve the global environment. Of course the highlight of the week was when we were joined by families on Friday to plant, paint and create. The school was alive with both the children's and the adult's enthusiasm and we are very grateful that so many of you could come in to support us. Remember we will be inviting you all in again on the 24th May to see the conclusion of the 'Our Green Earth'.

You will also have noticed that the children in Key Stage 2 now have a lovely new teaching environment with the completion of the year 6 classrooms. We would like to thank you all for your patience and support during the build. After School Clubs will continue to be dismissed from the KS2 playground.

As mentioned before the end of term, Nic Palmer our chair of the parent council has announced her desire to step down from the role. This half term we will be looking for a replacement. If you feel that you would like to run this important body for parental and school liaison then do not hesitate to contact either Nic or myself via the school office.

I hope you all have a fantastic week and please do remember to follow us on Twitter to see up to the minute news about what is happening in school.

Rory